"please keep in mind that I am a human being"
Jameela Jamil, British actress and radio presenter, has received death and rape threats for supporting protesting farmers in India.
On Friday, February 5, 2021, Jamil had shared a post on Instagram about the threats she has been facing online, with a caption saying “power always to the people”.
Jameela took to social media and revealed that she was receiving threats:
“I have repeatedly spoken about the farmers in India over the past few months and what is happening there at the moment, but each time I do I am met with death and rape threats.
“So while you are pressurising me in my DMs please keep in mind that I am a human being who has some limitations as to what I can handle.
“I do, however, maintain my solidarity is of course with the farmers in India and everyone fighting for their rights during this protest.
“I hope you are also pressuring the men to speak on this subject too as they are far less likely to be attacked the way women in the public eye are.
“To everyone reading this. As I’ve asked many times before, please read about what’s happening.”
Below her post, many comments of solidarity started to pop up.
Andie Macdowell, star of Four Weddings and a Funeral, also commented:
“Went to India for my first time last year right before coronavirus.
“I am watching. Don’t know why people are threatening you? You can block those people.”
One person praised her for using her platform to speak about the issue:
“I love that you use your platform for good. I had no idea about what was going on in India but now I will absolutely read up on it and see how I can help”
Jameela Jamil began her career on Channel 4, hosting a pop culture series in the T4 strand from 2009 until 2012.
She later became the radio host of The Official Chart and co-hosted The Official Chart Update with Scott Mills on BBC Radio 1.
Jamil was considered the first solo female presenter of the BBC Radio 1 chart show until 2015.
After relocating in the US, she starred in The Good Place, playing Tahani Al-Jamil.
Worldwide, many other celebrities have been tweeting in support of the Farmers’ Protest.
Oscar-winning actor Susan Sarandon had also shown her support, tweeting:
“Standing in solidarity with the #FarmersProtest in India. Read about who they are and why they’re protesting below.”
Before her, pop star Rihanna hit the headlines and caused quite a stir online for voicing her support on Twitter.
She is one of the most-followed people on the platform, with 100 million followers.
The pop star was followed by Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, and adult star Mia Khalifa, who both extended their support to India’s farmers.
Bollywood celebrities, on the other hand, did not take it well.
Western support for the protest is seen as a threat aiming to divide India.
On Wednesday, February 3, 2021, stars like Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn, Karan Johar, Ekta Kapoor, Suniel Shetty and singer Kailash Kher posted about the protest using the hashtag ‘India against propaganda.’
On the matter, Akshay Kumar expressed:
“Farmers constitute an extremely important part of our country.
“And the efforts being undertaken to resolve their issues are evident.
“Let’s support an amicable resolution, rather than paying attention to anyone creating differences. #IndiaTogether #IndiaAgainstPropaganda.”
Farmers constitute an extremely important part of our country. And the efforts being undertaken to resolve their issues are evident. Let’s support an amicable resolution, rather than paying attention to anyone creating differences. ??#IndiaTogether #IndiaAgainstPropaganda https://t.co/LgAn6tIwWp
— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) February 3, 2021
We must always take a comprehensive view of things, as there is nothing more dangerous than half truth. #IndiaTogether #IndiaAgainstPropaganda @hiteshjain33 https://t.co/7rNZ683ZAU
— Suniel Shetty (@SunielVShetty) February 3, 2021
A Twitter battle between Kangana Ranaut and Diljit Dosanjh also showed how divided the country is over the issue.
Furthermore, Kangana repeatedly attacked Rihanna and Greta Thunberg with tweets, but neither has responded yet.
In an interview to Republic World with Arnab Goswami, she considered Rihanna’s tweet to be a “conspiracy to brutally divide India into pieces”.
Others, like Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan, have been silent on the subject.
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